Fate

Present

Brass walked up the front steps and rang the doorbell. Sara had invited him to a family dinner. Instantly he recognized a difference in her voice. What it could be this time, he didn't have a clue. And with the opening of the door he would soon find out.

"Hey Jim! I'm so glad you could come on such short notice." Sara greeted. They exchanged hugs.

"No problem at all. How are you doing?" He barely had time to finish his question when a squealing Halley came running at him.

"Hi Uncle Jim!" Halley was now four and a half and as energetic as ever.

"Hi there Hal! You've gotten so big!" He scooped her up and spun her around. Sara smiled and quickly excused herself. Just then Gil came into the room.

"Hey Jim. Come on, let's sit in the dining room. Sara said dinner's almost ready."

"This was excellent pasta Sara. I'm stuffed!" Jim patted his stomach with satisfaction.

"Thanks. I'll start cleaning up. Can you put Halley to bed Gil?"

"Sure thing. Say night night to Uncle Jim." Halley pecked Jim on the cheek and was whisked away by her father.

After having little conversation with Sara, Jim decided to help her in the kitchen. He stacked some plates and walked in on Sara intently scrubbing a plate. One would think she was focusing hard on the task at hand, but he knew better.

"Need a hand?" He startled her. She whirled around and chuckled at her uneasiness.

"Sure. You scared me though."

"Yeah I could tell." He hesitated. "You ok?" She couldn't meet his gaze. He lifted her chin. "I know you Sara. Something's up."

She formed a smile. "Gil and I were going to tell you after Halley was put down. I'm pregnant."

Brass's face lit up with excitement. "Really? Congratulations! Honey, that's wonderful!" Once again they were hugging. He stroked her back and pulled away to admire her. "This is great news…isn't it?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Then why were -?"

"I was scared. I still am. We've been trying for the past year and a half. I'd almost given up hope. I thought something was wrong…or wasn't meant to be." She took a breath. "You're the first we've, well, I've told. I wanted to wait and ensure everything's ok."

Jim couldn't help but look at her with depressed eyes. This woman had become like a daughter to him and life could never cut her a break. He had no idea she'd been hurting.

"I'm sorry to hear that. But look, it was obviously meant to be. I'm sure this was God's way of telling you you need more patience Missy!" He pointed an index finger at her, pretending to scold her. Her solemn face broke into laughter.

"Seriously, there's nothing for you to worry about. Everything's alright and it's going to stay that way. There's no need to be scared." She was fighting tears. "And without a doubt this was meant to be." He added.

Sara smiled. She removed the gloves from her hands and swiped a few loose tears. Jim handed her a tissue from his pocket. She could only shake her head in amusement.

"And besides…I wouldn't let anything happen to you. I'll make sure if Gil can't be here I will. Think of me as your on call midwife."

Future (By 7 months)

"I'm so sorry you have to go through this Honey." Gil murmured as he kissed Sara.

"Can't be too much longer now. Dr. Massone said by the end of this week if nothing happens she'll induce me. Only another four more days." Sara gave her best attempt at a genuine smile. She'd tried to be a good sport about this whole thing but most of all she was extremely uncomfortable.

"This baby must take after you. There's no way I'm this stubborn." He gave a wink as Sara slapped him on the shoulder.

"Just make it a quick seminar ok? One day would be nice but if you had to go the full two days that's ok too."

"How did I ever deserve this? And especially now from a very pregnant woman." He fingered some of her curls. "I'll be home tomorrow, don't worry. And Brass is coming by later. He's going to pick Hal up from pre-school, drop her at Alyssa's house, and spend the rest of the day keeping you company. Just try to hold off on anything until I get back."

The doorbell rang and Sara hoisted herself up. She opened the door to Jim holding a bag of what she assumed to be food and hopefully something other than movies.

"Hey Honey, how are things going? Should you be up on your feet?"

"I'm very tired and uncomfortable. The Dr. said if nothing happens in the next four days, I'll have to be induced. This kid just isn't in any hurry! Answering the door is a thrill compared to what Gil's had me do. But it's fine, might encourage Jr. here." Sara rubbed her back and used the coffee table to ease onto the couch. Jim immediately put a hand on her shoulder and helped guide her.

"Sounds like a mini you in there."

"Exactly what Gil said. Not funny."

"So your back that bad huh?"

"Yes, it's been constant pain." She tried to reposition herself. "Oww."

"What is it?" Brass sounded alarmed.

"Braxton Hicks contractions. They've been a bitch for the last day or so."

"Well let me know if it worsens. Could be real labor pains. I wouldn't want to deliver your baby in the living room."

"Believe me, you'll know." Sara rubbed her eyes. "Do you mind if I take a nap upstairs? I'm sorry you're stuck babysitting me."

"Not at all! I promised I'd be here if Gil wasn't. Let me help you." He grabbed hold of her back and held her hand as she rose. They took one step at a time until Sara was tucked into bed.

A hard pain jolted Sara awake. She felt her stomach and breathed deeply until it passed. "You're alright, you're alright. Just breathe through it." She coached herself. Though the pain in her back was back, she decided to head downstairs for some tea.

When she reached the kitchen, Jim was reading a newspaper and drinking coffee. "Hey Kiddo, feeling any better?"

"Not as tired, but the back pain is back with a vengeance." She opened a cabinet to remove a mug and tea packet. She started a kettle of water on the stove and sat down next to Jim.

"I'll rub it." He slid his chair closer to hers and began to gently massage. "Yeah I can feel the tension. Tell me if it hurts too much, I'll stop."

After enjoying her tea and talking to Jim, Sara had another pain. They moved to the living room where he had a tray of fruit and cookies. "Maybe this'll please the little one."

"I live for fruit salad. And I'm sure you could use the sweets." Sara happily popped some blueberries in her mouth as Jim did the same with an Oreo. It was a little while later Jim revealed a felt bag from his jacket pocket. Sara sighed and accepted the token from his hand.

"Jim, I -"

"Stop right there. It's a present for you and the tyke. Well mainly for you because you'll physically be using it, but it has symbolic meaning."

Sara loosened the strings on the very familiar felt bag and turned it upside down. A silver ball shaped Pandora charm with intricate patterns fell out. She picked it up between her index finger and thumb and studied it. "It's absolutely stunning."

"I'm so happy you like it. It was about time I became a member of that bracelet of yours. It's called the Inner Strength Charm. I knew it'd be perfect for you." He took her hands in his and continued. "Sara, you've become my second daughter. I've watched you grow and mature into an amazingly talented woman. I've watched you face some touch ordeals but nonetheless you've battled through with flying colors. I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you. Yes this charm represents the inner strength of someone." He did air quotes on inner strength. "But know that it also represents the outer strength too. You are way hard on yourself. This charm will remind you of how much you've overcome. It will be with you as you continue to overcome the good, the bad, and even the ugly. I love you very much Sara." He kissed her on the cheek. Her hand squeezed his.

"Oh my God." Sara breathed.

"What? Sara?"

"My water just broke."

"Ok breathe, it's going to be fine. I called Gil, I have my light and siren going, and the hospital knows we're on our way. We're going to be fine. All you have to do is breathe." Jim was sweating bullets. His best friend left him with his overly pregnant wife while he went to some stupid seminar. Now that overly pregnant wife was in labor, heavily panting and surely clotting the blood in his hand.

"I – am – breathing! Ahh!" She grabbed her stomach as another contraction hit. She was breathing so hard and fast she was sure she would pass out. "I'm – feeling – pressure – Jim. Can – you – drive faster?" He snapped his head in her direction and stroked her hand.

"Hold on Honey. We're almost there."

"Almost at 10 centimeters. You're going to start pushing soon. Just continue with what you're doing. You'll meet your baby in no time." The nurse patted Sara's legs and closed the curtain.

"Have you heard from Gil?" Sara asked.

"He'll be here in 15. You're lucky it was a college 45 minutes away."

"Ahh I feel a ton of pressure! Jim!" Sara was gripping the bar on the hospital bed. She was shaking her head from side to side. The pain was unbearable. "So much for a delivery like Halley's! Late not early, water breaking on your shoes not Gil's, and better yet still no Gil! He was with me all the way five years ago! Where is he?" She was now gritting her teeth.

"I'm sorry Sweetie, he'll be here -"

"Now! I'm here! Sara and Jim I'm here!"

"Congratulations Mamma and Papa! You have a baby boy!"

"He's beautiful." Brass peered down at the tiny bundle in Sara's arms.

"I don't know how to thank you Jim." Gil patted his shoulder. "If you weren't there, Sara would've been alone. I wouldn't have made it in time, she would've had to call an ambulance – ah"

"I was happy to do it."

"We have a name picked out," said Sara. "Meet Aaron James Grissom. And what do ya know, Aaron means strong Jim!" Sara laughed. Jim Brass was speechless. He couldn't believe they used his name for part of the baby's.

"It was Sara's idea, but I couldn't agree more. It was the least we could do." Gil stated.

"Do you want to hold him? He is your godson after all." That last part took Jim for another loop.

"Godson?"

"That's if you would do the honors of being his godfather?" Sara added. "We didn't even have to give it second thought."

"Neither do I. I'd love to be this guy's godfather." Sara passed Aaron to Jim who cradled him in his arms. "Hi little guy. I'm Jim."

Fin